Readercon.

[vg_ford]

So, I'm looking over cons in my area, and I run across the website for Readercon. And now I defer to those professionals among my friends.

I'm a small press author. I didn't sign up to be a presenter, and I can only make it for Saturday. Is this worthwhile for me to go to?

Also, can anyone suggest any others that it might behoove me to go to? I'm going to be having the 2nd book of the Apocalypse Cycle out next year, so I'm looking at promoting. However, I'm working on a limited budget, both monetarily speaking and time speaking, so I'm not looking at travelling all over the US (although I would love to!).

Any suggestions? And yes, if there are online courses on promotions that you can recommend (free or otherwise), I'd be interested.

Thanks!

Comments

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

1. May I crosspost this to my Journal. There are ReaderCon folks there.

2. Are you on Arisia? Folks there might now.

3. If you go, you could come visit the chocolate/dessert party Saturday night.

Beware: long comment ahead :p

[joncwriter.livejournal.com]

Readercon is great! That was the first con I ever went to and it was a very good experience. Even if you go one day, it's worth it, not only to meet up with other readers and authors and get a feel for the biz, but to shamelessly plug your stuff!

(Oh--and if there's a panel you think you should be on instead of being in the audience, talk to one of the panelists or one of the con workers, or better yet email the people in charge beforehand, they'll be happy to squeeze you in. I've seen all sorts of writers do that at the last moment.)

The other good Boston-area con is Boskone which is put on by NESFA. That one is usually in February, so the only bad thing about it is potential bad weather! ;) I've gone to this one as well, and it's equally as good as Readercon.

There is also Arisia, which is in January. This one is more fan/cosplay oriented, and I've heard mixed reviews, but then again I haven't gone to this one so I can't say if it's good or bad.

Oh--one last thing--great thing to do is to make freebies!! Anything from fliers to free samples to bookmarks...the fans love raiding the freebie table, so that's a surefire way to get some shameless publicity in!! ;) I once made a flier for Forward Motion by creating it on Word, printing it out, and making a boatload of B&W copies for about $20. Well worth it.

As for promotions...? Not sure. Will have to look that up for you. ;)

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

1. Certainly! Thank you!
2. I've never been to Arisia - personal stuff has kept me away, even though I know it's right down the road. The fact that it always happens right around Birka doesn't help, either.
3. Hmm, very tempting! I'd have beard5 with me and possibly one other non-Scadian, though. Is that okay?

Re: Beware: long comment ahead :p

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Good comments, I'll definitely do some thinking!

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

1. I will.

2. OK.

3. Yes.

[beard5.livejournal.com]

If it helps, I think Readercon is the best of the local conventions, it'd be best to leave the plastic at home however. Booksellers! Ask Jonc about me and the book tables, sometime.

[beard5.livejournal.com]

Oh, and thank you so much for today, it was a wonderful break from everything.

[suelder.livejournal.com]

Wen Spencer is going to Readercon. I'd probably find a way to go, but that weekend is my cousin's wedding. And I like this cousin. :)

Suelder

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

If you're a writer, Readercon is a great chance to meet lots of other writers and editors. It has the highest ratio of writer-to-attendee of any con I've been to.

[ian-gunn.livejournal.com]

I'm going. I think readercon is a lot of fun, in an intellectual way. It is a good place to have interesting conversations about SF/Fantasy literature, schmooze with the professionals and find out about new books and authors. As far as SF cons go it is almost the polar opposite of Arisia which is far more about fans having fun, in all kinds of ways, which I also like to do ;).

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Well, I was going to see if you and empath_1111 wanted to go with me...

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

I know. I recognize a few of the names on the list. I'm just dithering over money, per normal. :p

Have fun at the wedding!

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Hmm, that does sound good. I'm getting the feeling this is definitely a con I want to attend.

Well, beard5, up for a roadtrip next weekend?

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

Yeah, from looking at it, Readercon seems to more of a procon (where professional authors, etc, meet to talk/network/whathaveyou) than Arisia, which I know is a huge fancon. And I'm thinking I should be attending more of the procons in the area.

Sounds like I'll see you there! :)

Saturday

[aishabintjamil.livejournal.com]

OK, I thought we'd already decided to go Saturday. Are you changing
your mind now?

Kathy

Re: Saturday

[vg-ford.livejournal.com]

No, I'm going. I just forgot we had decided that. :p I'm feeling a bit braindead at the moment.